An inscription on a tombstone is an

Analyze the question: The question asks for the literary term for a short inscription written on a tombstone, the writing that honours a dead person.

Explain the concept: Each option is a different literary form:

• Epitaph: a short piece of writing inscribed on a tomb or gravestone in memory of the dead. The word comes from the Greek epi (upon) and taphos (tomb).
• Epistle: a letter, especially a formal or literary one, such as the epistles in the New Testament.
• Epigram: a short, witty, often satirical saying or poem, usually in a single statement.
• Ode: a lyrical poem addressing and praising a person, object, or idea, such as Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale".

Step-by-step solution:

1. The question is about writing on a tombstone, so we need a term connected with death and burial.
2. An epistle is a letter, so it is not connected with tombs. Eliminate B.
3. An epigram is a witty saying and has nothing to do with graves. Eliminate C.
4. An ode is a praise poem and is not specific to tombstones. Eliminate D.
5. Epitaph literally means "upon a tomb", which matches the question exactly.

Answer: The correct option is A. epitaph.

Exam tip: Link the prefix and the meaning. Epi-taph = "upon the tomb", and taphos sounds a bit like "tomb". Also remember that an epistle is a letter, and the "pist" in it can remind you of "post". Questions on literary terms often pick these look-alike words, so learn their meanings together.